Universal transmission tower



UNIVERSAL TRANSMISSION .TOWER Filed Maron 10,' 192e 5 sheets-sheen INVENTOR Feb. 8, 1927; P' H. THOMAS UNIVERSAL TRANSMISSION TOWER Filed March l0l 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR the left in Fig. 3. The lacing in in Fig. 3, and Fig.

Patented Feb. s, 1927.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oFFiCE.

PERCY H. THOMAS, OIE UPPER MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY.

UNIVERSAL TRANSMISSIONU TOWER.

Application led March 10, 1926. Serial No. 93,745.

lMy invention relates to supporting towers for electric transmission lines and particularly'to towers of steel or other material of great rigidity and strength and offers a particularly rugged and economical structure.

I show a tower composed of elements which can be assembled in more than one relation to accommodate the construction to various conditions at the point of installation as willappear hereinafter.

' This tower makes use of a number :of the design principles shown in my= patent applications Serial No. 61,752, filed October 10th,

1925. transmission line towers for electric y circuits, and Serial No.`67,159, tiled November 5th, 1925, transmission line towers.

I have shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 a form of tower with four posts and transverse uys,

located on level ground. Fig. 1 is an e evation taken looking along the line and toward the posts 5, 5", is not shown for clearness( Fig. 2 is an end elevation taken looking toward the top of the sheet in Fig. 3, certain crossarm members not being shown.- Fig. 3 is a plan view. of the left hand end of the tower as shown in Fig. 1.

Figs. 4, 5 and 11 show certain details, especially a method for flexibly connecting a pair of posts to one end of the 'cross arm. Fig. 4

' is an elevation of an extension 9 of the crossarm taken looking toward the top of the sheet 5 is a plan ofthe same. Certain elements are shown partly or -wholly bv center lines and certain are not shown at all for purposes of clearness. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the construction shown `in Figs.`4 and 5, certain crossarm members being broken away for the purpose of clearness. This view is taken looklng'out fromv the paper and from the left toward the right in l* ig. 2 and from the upper left hand corner of the sheet toward the end of the crossarm that is not shown in Fig. 3. In Figs. 4, 5 and 11 ,certain members atvthe end of the cross-arm supportingthe' conductor 2 are not shown..v I y In Fig. 6' the same tower is shown located on ground sloping across the line making an inclinationof 25% with the horizontal, this view being an elevation taken the same` 'as Fig-1.l Fig. is an elevation of the same tower vtaken looking across the line located on ground slopingboth along and across the` line. Figs. 8 and 9 are respectively an end view and a partial plan respectively of another form of tower made up of the same elements as the tower of Fig. 1 and having two posts only, but having both transverse and longitudinal guys. Certain parts are omitted for clearness.

Fig. 1() shows an elongated post for applicants tower, having an extension inserted at the middle.

In Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, showing a'four post` form of tower, 1 is a crossarm supporting six electrical conductors, 2, 2, and the two ground wires 3, 3. Insulator strings supporting the conductors are shown at 4, 4.

The 'crossarm 1 is framed preferably of steel members such as structural angles put together in the usual way. The crossarm may be supported by two pairs of posts 5, 5b and 5, 5b attached to the crossarm 1 at their upper ends, but spread apart lengthwise of the line at the lower' ends. The posts may be supported on any suitable foundations 6, 6, at the ground level, tripods being shown in the illustrations. These posts are so designed and connected to the crossarm that no material bending moment will be introduced in the posts by any movements of the crossarm within reasonable limits. The crossarm will normally be held firmly in place against all stresses acting on it, but shoulda foundation settle, or a connection stretch a little or the guys be tightened unevenly, there would be a certain movement of the crossarm but this post -may be hinged to the foundations as` shown for longitudinal motion in Figs. 1 and 2 where the post is carried- -on a bolt 35, which in turn passes throughl the topsA of threeangles 36 connected in the form of a tripod, with a base 37, orthe connection may rnerely be designed for liexibility. as for example, as shown for transverse motion in Figs. 1 and 2 also.

The crossarm is restrained from lateral motion by the transverse guys 7 and 8. Each of these. guys is connected to an extension 9 fastened to the crossarm 1 and divides at the connector or equalizer 7 or Stintotwo guy` rods, 7, 7 b and 8, 8"' respectively. These dividverse guys 7 and 8 to the crossarm 1 ini such a way that no bending ina plane perpendicular to' the crossarm is produced and no bending stresses in ,the posts. This arrange-4 ment further serves to give an indication of the relative tightness of either pair of guys 7, 7b or 8a, 8b, for the connectors 7c and 8c will be pulled to one side it' either guy of the pair is too tight. The guys 7 and 8 are attached to the extensions at a point on the central plan'e of the crossarm.

Longitudinal stresses on the crossarm whether due to conductors, ground wires, wind or other cause are taken up by horizontal components of the axial stresses in the posts, for these posts taking no bending haveonly axial stresses. .The vertical -coinponents of the stresses in the posts due to horizontal longitudinal stresses on the crossarm are equal and ot opposite sign and neutralize each other. at thetop.

All downward stresses including the weight of the .crossarm are divided between the 4 posts according to the well known laws of mechanics.

I have noty shown the ticular framing of the crossarm or the posts and foundations for this will be evident to those skilled in the art. Certainmembers are omitted for the sake of clearn'ess, as for example, the bracing of the posts 5 and certain details of the extension 9. I have shown the arrangement of elements, however, and all the features necessary for the understanding and utilization of the novel vfeatures of my tower.

are respectively an I have shown enlarged of the crossarm 1, to the posts 5a, 5b 5a, 5b,

In Figs. 4 and 5 which elevation and a plan, the extensions 9, 9, which are attached and details of suitable connections between the posts and the crossarm. In these figures I hay-e used center lines or gauge lines largeusualfly' be of structural steel angles. I have vshown portions ot' anglesv in outline where -the same members in all the ligures. The

crossarm is shown as extending backwardly and to the right. vThe angles 33, the plates so, 30, 22, 23, 24 and b0iisf25, 2c, and 27,

forming the flexible connections between the posts and the crossarm are shown clearly details of the par-- represent the steel members which will,

The members 19, 20 are braces bolted to the flanges of the angles 12, 13 and 17, 18.

Referring to Fig. 4, 10 is a strut or tie angle, being a part of thevcrossarm shown also in Fig. 3 and in Fig. v7. This is the member to which a ground wire may be connected when used. This member 10 connectF the two main crossarmchord angles 28, 28. The post 5 is connected to the extension 9 by two heavy bolts 25 and 26 acting as hinges between the crossarm and the post for mot-ion of the crossarm transversely. In the post these. bolts are carried by two pairs of plates 30, 30,- bolted or riveted to the main angles 31,;31, of the post 5, two angles being connected to one pair of plates. The bolts 25 and 26 pass through holes in the plates 22 and 23 which are part of the crossarm extension 9, this securing the posts to the crossarm in such a manner as to permit free motion of the crossarm transversely wit-hout putting bending moment in the posts. This connection, however, is still against angular motion in the plane' containing the axis .of the post and the two bolts 25 and 26. This stiffness is useful in steadying the crossarm aga-inst wind pressure along the line, which would otherwise overturn the crossarm. However, this wind pressure is only that acting on the members above the plane of the angles 28, for stress inthat plane is resisted by the posts by' axial stresses, these posts having their axis meeting in the line of the centers of the members 10, see Fig. 4. The residual bending moment of longitudinal wind must be taken by the posts but will be so small as to be unobjectionable. The post is given a suitable cross sectional shape for plates 22 and 23 are connected together by .the angle 19 secured to the legs of the angles 12 and 13. i

The post 5b is connected to the crossarm extension 9 through the plate 24 by means of the bolt 27 much in the same wayas post 5, but a single boltisfused so that the connection may be flexible both transverselyv and longitudinally'. The plate 24 and the bolt 27 are secured to the postlfat thev center point ot' its top by two angles 33, which run across the post to transfer the stresses to the plates 30,30 and the main corner angles 31.y The plate 24 is carried by the angles 14 and 18 connected respectively to the plate 21 and tothe angles 16 aiid17 and 32 at the point 29" The .plates 23 and 24 arcconnected together through the angle 2 ticedthat a trans-verse movement ,on the or 8 leaves the post top.

\ ITurnbuckles or other length adjusting means 40 should be inserted in the guys at a suflicient numbenof points to permit adjustment of stress vand position for all Guys.'

A, Certain members have Ibeen omitted iii been 4omitted for the sakeof -clearness, but.

crossi'iri'riv 1 'will tend to lbend the plates 22, 23 and 24,'sincethey do not lie strictly in parallel/ planes. `However, in practice this will be of no disadvantage because forany degree of motion likelyto existthe amount of this bendingl will not be important and because the posts are free to rotate on their are to a certain extent.A 'i Tsiwi angles 11 and 15 connect the plates /22 an 24 to the -angles 28 at their point of connection to the ends Aot' the member' 10, securing the crossarml against overturning. iThere is advantage in using a connector or equalizer 34 at the'point where the guys 7 8* and b, 8, cross as this, supports these u lt:inge between the conductors 2 and the guys by determining the angle vat which the guy 7 these figures t`o clarify the draw'ngs so that the construction may be clear, but they may easily bev supplied by those skilled in the art.v

v This tower of Figs. l, 2 and 3 maybe used o n sloping ground.4 If the slopeiis across tlie'line, thev posts may still be placed verticall and the guys readjusted as shown in Fig. 6. In. this case the 'crossarm will be generally y'parallel to the surface of' the ground. The clearance from the conductors to the guys will be .somewhat affected but not seriously and any casefany desired clearance maybe rovided'/ for by design. This .use of my toszer avoids the necessity Aof excavation of the "groundon the high side or `building up' under the posts on the lowerY 1 side on such slo ing ground. This is often of. verygreat a vantage.

When the ground slopes y tower may be' installed'qn the actual surface of tdie groundrasitlies throwing'.tlie center line of the to sonable slopes no1 material vsults. The stresses duetol y creased onltheg-down hill posts butl the stresses due I:tol longitudinal load arev d'ecreased o'n this post,- so that for reasonable angles no special cqnstructionis required. This condition -is'shown in' Fig. 7 4in which the tower of Figs-2 lisshf'iwn on ground vsloping both with and -acr'ossthe line, the ground under the back posts being the higher. In Figs. 6 and4 7thesame posts are I designated by disadvantage re f thev may bev readily-supplied byI those ,skilled iii-fthe alt-t.' l. of adu'sting the .tower to s and gives a certain control ofthe clearf with me' une the erfol the vertical and for rea-- dead load are in.l

thel same-numerals as in Figs.` l, 2 vand 3. `In Fig.l 7 some' members have I avoid much' "ex-f pense ma amenity in side hin extensions such as are-.required in many towers of the The plates 30, 30 maybeused in all post tops but the angles 33"'mustbeaadded in vpost lt-.ca-rry the bolt 27.

Where circumstances permit I mayA use 2 postsyfor example, A2 posts l and 3 in place of 4'." Inhthis case I add' longitudinal guys 38,v Fig. 8, connected to each post preferably at the middle point of the member 10 of the crossarm correspoming to theA ember .10 of the Figs. 1,2 and these guys aking up'longitud'inal stresses, In this case the crossarm extensionv)a corre` must be somewhat diftere ly framed sincei there is but o ne post to connected.' Such'. framing' need not here be shown as it involves no novel problems. The lexten/sion 9 is f symmetrical about a vertical plane` through the middle of the crossarm.

of Figs..1, 2

4sponding to the extension'of Figs. 1,' 2, 3\ f This tower ofFig. 8 is shown-in plan in p Fig. 9, where similar lparts are similarly numbered. One of thetransverse gays for 4the structure of Figs. 8' andi) is' shown at 7, the other guy 8d being similar but oppo-` site'ly placed. The longitudinal guys 38 may to advantage make a. smalll angle with thecenter line of thetransmission line to give a littlesupport to the transverse guys and to improve the clearance from the conductors.

As shown 1n the various'igures, on acs count of the transverse flexibility of the ibilty in both directionsof theconnectin between thefpostb and the crossarm, the structure as a whole may besubjected to sinking of foundations, irregularities'ot installat1on,(stretching or improper ad]ust ment of guys, etc., without throwing undue'stresses intothe posts or'other mem-f bers of the tower. -This is in contrast'to the conditions inthe standardjour legged type of tower, wherein any yielding ofJ foundations must cause serious strainsl in the :rigidt structure. f

The `,present type of' tower gives; what mightbe called a universal structure which im ,y lconnections between post 5%* and the cross-p. l arm, and where four posts are used the ilexmay b e used for many sorts of sites'and cone.

ditionsY as may most convenient. f Where Aground space is-'important the' arrangement "of Figsl, 2 and 3 is 'shitablm' while that of Figs. 8 and 9 is usually more economical Where guys may be permitted. 4The arrangement of Figs. 8 'and9 is similar in many respects to structures shown in my applications Seria-1 No. 67,159, above referred t0.

It'will be noted that certain elements, the more important parts, are the same inall uses ofthe tower, while certain other parts,

largely theconnections,l vary for different ground conditions and other causes. For example, both the upper and lower post sections are all the same, also the crossarm is always the same, excepting the extension 9 or 9a which in this sense is to be taken as attached to thecrossarm rather than a part of it.

The material and form of the guy also remains the same although the length varies. The connections, as for 4example the bolt hinges, are differently arranged for different embodiments alsoy the guy connections and the guy lengths. This layout is favorable for economy for the special parts for the line as a whole are reduced to a minimum. lrVhere the slopes of the ground are not uniform or where desirable for other reasons, I

contemplate the ylengthening of one or more posts to conform to the ground or other conditions. This lengthening is accomplished preferably by inserting azlength of post between the top and bottom elements above dcscribed. Such an extension piece is shown in Fig. 10, where the member 41/is inserted between the post top 42 and the poet bottom 43 of the post 5". j

` I claim as my invention- 1. A transm ion tower, comprising a crossarm, a pair o posts near each end thereof, one post of each pair being hinged to said crossarm at two points, each permitting transverse motion of said crossarm, but restraining rotation. of said crossarm, `the other post of the pair being hinged to Asaid crossarm at one point also permitting transverse motion yof said crossarm.

2. A transmission tower comprising a crossarm, posts i-n pairs under said crossarm for taking up stresses on said crossarm and means for preventing rotation of said crossarm about its long axis, said means ini cluding connections, rigid against such rotation, from said crossarm to one of said posts.

3. A transmission line tower,'including a crossarm, two supporting posts near each end of said crossarm, foundations for said posts and a guy for each end of said crossarm restraining transverse movement, each guy including a. single portion attached to the crossarm and a divided portionV connected to said single portion` spreading diagonally and connected to the foundations of two of said posts on Vthe opposite side of said tower.

4. A transmission line tower, including a 61,752 and Serial No.

crossarni, two supporting'kpos'ts near each end of said crossarm, foundations for said" diagonally and connected to anchors on ,the4

opposite side of said crossarm.

5. A transmission tower comprising a crossarm, two posts under each end spread apart at the bottom lengthwiseof the line, connections between said crossarm and said posts, the connections to one post being rigid for motion in the plane 'of the two posts and the connection to the other being iexible in this plane.

6. The combination of a conductor bear-V ing crossarm, supporting posts thereunder in pairs, spread apart at the lower ends length- Awise o'f the line and connections to said posts from said crossarm, the connectionsto one post being rigid 'against relative motion in the plane ofthe posts.

7. The combination of a conductor bearing crossarm, supporting posts thereunder in pairs, spread apart at the lower end lengthwise of the liney and flexible connections to saidposts from said crossarm, the connections to one post beingV rigid against relative motion in the plane of the posts.

8. A transmission tower, including a cross-- arm, Vsupporting posts under said crossarm' near each end, connections between said posts and said crossarm, said posts and said connections permitting transverse motion of said crossarm and preventing longitudinal motion thereof and rigid connections be. vtween said crossarm and one of said posts for preventing rotation of .said crossarm, together with means for fixing the position of said crossarm on said posts transversely.

9. A transmission line tower'. comprising a crossarm extending across thc line with attachment devices for carrying electric conductors, supporting posts in pairs spread apart at the bottoni in the direction. of the line on both sides of the center of said crossarm, mechanical connections between said crossarm and said posts, permitting free movement ot' said crossarm transversely of .said line, and means for limiting said transverse movement.

l0. A transmission line tower comprising a crossarni extending across the line with attachment deviceslor carrying electric conductors, supporting posts in pairs spread apart at the bottom in the direction ot'the line on both sides of the center' ot' said crossarm. mechanical connections between said erossarm and said posts. permitting treo movement ot' said erossarm transversely ot' said line, and, limited angular movement of one post with regard to the other in the plane containingthe two posts.

11. A transmission line tower comprising val crossarm extending across the linewith attachment devices or'carrying electric conductois, supporting posts in pairs a spread apart at the bottom in the direction of the.

4line on both sides of the-center of said cross- 'ariif mechanical connections l.between said crossaim and fsaid posts, permitting :free movement of said cro'ssarni transversely of said line, and' means for limiting said trans-i verse movement, together with foundations connected with said posts, exible to erinit said limited motion without deve oping bending moments in said posts.

12. A transmission line tower comprising a crossarm `extending across the line ,with

attachmentdevices for carrying electric con- V ductors, supporting posts in pairs spread crossarm and saidU posts, permitting free `movement of said crossarm transversey apart at the bottom in the direction of the line on both sides of the center of said cross' arm, -mechanical connections between said I postsin airs under said crossarmon both sides of t e center, the axes of the posts of eaehpair when extended-meeting at a com- '..mon point in id planeof resistance. y

' 14. A transmi ion lin'e tower, `comprising a rigid crossarm extending across the line, attachment means for supporting insulator 4 strings on ,said crossarm, all lyingon a s straight transverse'line in said crossarm,

supporting posts inpairsr under said cross' arm on both sides ofthe center, the axis of each when extended intersecting said .sa-nig t une. f

15. A' structure ,for support-ing a plurality of arallelaerial ca les s accd apart horizonta y, comprising a ri transverse member extending over ,an across said r cables, hanger attachment means for said cables thereon, all located in a straight line,

- compression bearing supporting members under. said transverse member in pairs and 'on both sides of the center, said supportin .3 members being spread apart at the Vgronn line in a Idirection parallel to the cables, the compression axes 'of' said supporting mem bers when extended meeting in 'pairs on/thef said strai .ht line,together with iiexible c on- 'ncctio s'v tween each ofgrsaid supporting :".iii'embers' and theA transverse member and be' tweengthe'two' of each 'pair of supportn members, permitting a certain horizonta motionv of saidJtransverse member and sepalying along Iastraight I rate means for limiting transverse motion of said member. t

16. A transmission line tower, including a crossarm extending across the ine, two supporting posts spread apart a'tthe base along the line Aon each side of the center",

separate epnnections from each posttq saidv crossarm, said connections permitting a eer` tain transverse movement, opposedX guys therefor limiting said transverse movement, connected to said crossarm at the top 'be-' tween said' osts on one end of the crossarm and at the ower end to foundations ofthe posts under the other end of the crossarm.

17. A transmission line t'wer comprising a rigid crossarm extending across said line and provided `with a plane of resistance', at-

plane, feet under said crossarm'on both sides of. the centerA framed rigidly thereto, and rigid postscarrying downward stresses under said feet and connectedfthereto-by defvices flexible fortransversemotion of said. crossarm, together with opposed tension members connected te sai'd crossarm in said `resistance plane..

18.` In a transmission line tower,y airigid cable vcarrying crossam, includin trussed members lying in a` lane' substantially parallel to the groundp Y from tlie said cables and the stresses resist-` for receiviiig stresses -tachmentpoints for insulator strings insaid ing displacement, compression carrying posts` under said crossarm. but shorter than the distance from said trussed members to the ground and supporting feet narrow at the bottom rigidly framed in said crossa'rm below the .plane of said trussed members to?. gethervwith connections between said posts and the bottoms of said fedt. permitting relative movement between said crossai'mv and said posts across the. line, but resisting rotation o f said crossarm in a'verticalplane parallel to the line.

\ 19.y A transmission line tower, comprisingl a. rigid cable carrying crossarm extend' g across the line, a up of stress'resi in members eich side of 'the center 'of sai crossarm, each group includin at least Aone independent compression mem r sup o rting said crossarm above .the earth and exibly connected thereto, said stress. resisting icoA members servin to resist vertical', transverse and longitudine load stresses on said cross-r arm, the line of 'action of each of said stress resisting members intersecting a strai ht line lying lengthwise .of said crossarm an intersected by said vertical and longitudinal 20. A smission line tower, comprising crossarm extending a rigid cableca across the'line, inciu ing aplane of resistaicefor carryin longitudinalload stresses,

a plurality of ca le 'supports on said crossarm, 'located insaid plane of resistance and line lengthwise in said 13 Y crossa'rm', .and -a group of strelss resisting members on each side of said crossarm and connected thereto' andl spread apart at the ground level, each group containing at least one compression member, -said stress resisting members serving to support the crossarm above the ground and'to take up horizontaI-and yertical loads on said crossarm, the'l'nes of action of all of said stress lresisting. members passing through said. straight line, together-,With foundations for said stress -resisting members, and means for protecting said compression members from bending moments, due to limited movement of said foundations, maladjustments in ection and accidental irregularities, said ans includingvexible elements in the mechanicaly connections of said compression. members.

21. A transmission line tower, comprismg a rigid cable carrying crossarm4 extending across the line,including a plane of resistance' for carrying longitudinal load stresses,

a pluralityof' cable supports on said crossarm, locatedin said lane of 4resistance and lying along a straig t line lengthwise in ltions of said compression members.

resisting members/of said groups, taking up thel longitudinal and the vertical -forces, passing through said straight line, together with foundations for sai stress resisting members and means for protecting said comlpression vmembers from Abending moments,

due to limited movement of @said foundations, maladjustmentsv in yerection and ac? cidental irregularities, said means including flexible elements in the mechanical connec- Signed at NewYork, in the county New York yand State of New York, this V9th day of March' A. D. 1926. '1`

PERCYH. THOMAS.

of. i 

